Learning to machine quilt #2

Since machine quilting the potholders went smoothly, I started on the Christmas table runners that I wrote about earlier.

I put the fabric backing down on some newspaper so I could use the basting spray and not get it all over the floor.

I had done a lot of reading about basting quilts and decided to use basting spray instead of pinning the layers together. I lightly sprayed the backing fabric and then put down the batting, making sure it was smooth.

Next was the top.

And I ended up with a quilt sandwich.

Another quilting tip that I found in my research was to use masking tape instead of using a marking pencil for the lines.

I used that for a while and then switched to painter's tape which is less tacky. I used my walking foot to sew and just followed along the edge of the tape, and I ended up with a perfectly straight line.

And just one time I sewed on the wrong side of the tape and the spacing was off. :-)

I quilted each table runner with a different degree of angles.

One of the finished projects.

First Snow of 2015

We haven't had much snow so far this season, but that all changed yesterday.

10 p.m. on Jan. 31

And I woke up to this today. What a beautiful sight! 

10 a.m. on Feb. 1

This was out in the middle of the backyard this morning, and it's still snowing.  There could be another couple inches before it's done.

 

The wind picked up today so it's really blowing around. I haven't lost any tree branches so that's good.

Even the birds are staying away today.

Learning to machine quilt #1 - potholders

Now that Christmas is over and the gifts have been given, I can blog about these.
When I decided that I wanted to do some quilting on my home sewing machine, I needed a small project to practice on. I found a pattern using a tumbler template that I used to make some potholders.  

This was a really quick and easy pattern.

After practicing on some scrap material and making sure I was happy with the stitch length and the tension, it was time to quilt.

I bought some special heat resistant batting.

Then I sewed straight lines.  I wanted to keep it simple for my first project.

Flashback Friday

A trip back in time

Happy Birthday, Aunt Diane! I've been saving this picture just for the occasion of Flashback Friday, and your birthday fell on the perfect day this year. But at least you're not alone in the flashback. Someone else is styling the red pants...oh, and that cute little girl!

Refinished Nightstand/Storage

I found this nightstand at a friend's garage sale and just knew a little bit of love would make it good as new again.

I sanded it down...

...and gave it a couple coats of primer.

Then it got a couple coats of glossy white paint and a couple new handles, and it was done. There were some really great knobs in Hobby Lobby, but I didn't take the time to fill in the holes and then drill a single hole for new ones. Just trying to keep it simple....oh, and maybe because I don't own a drill. :-)  

I also debated about what color to paint it. The sky's the limit on colors, but since I needed more fabric storage space in my sewing room, I stuck with plain ole white to match the rest of the storage in that room.

Flashback Friday

A trip back in time

Happy Birthday, Uncle Gene. I looked and looked for a picture to better reflect Flashback Friday and couldn't find anything from back in the day. I wanted something with the two of us, but I guess this will do!!

Flashback Friday

A trip back in time

Happy Anniversary Aunt Betty and Uncle Brent!